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State group joins suit against EPA over refineries

Last Modified: Saturday, September 29, 2012 11:56 PM

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Louisiana Bucket Brigade and other environmental groups around the nation are suing the Environmental
Protection Agency to force the agency to cut air emissions of the most toxic, cancer-causing chemicals released by 150 oil
refineries in 32 states.

The Times-Picayune reported the suit contends EPA's rules are based on inaccurate estimates of emissions
released by refineries and allow the use of outdated technology.

Under the Clean Air Act, standards to reduce risks to people are to be reconsidered every eight years. Environmentalists charge
that EPA has not done enough to reduce emissions.

In early September, EPA submitted proposed emissions regulations to the White House Office of Management and Budget for review.

That action came only a few weeks after the environmental organizations informed EPA that they intended to file Thursday's
suit, as required by law.

Updating the regulations "would trigger a
lot more action" by state officials, both in requiring emissions
reductions, and
in increased fines and possible criminal actions when new emission
limits are topped, said the Bucket Brigade's Anna Hrybyk.

The 17 refineries in Louisiana released 5.8
million pounds of the cancer-causing chemicals in 2010, according to EPA
statistics.
That included 431,000 pounds from the Phillips 66 Alliance
Refinery, then owned by BP, and 467,000 pounds from the Motiva
Enterprises LLC-Norco Refinery. The Bucket Brigade says more than
200,000 people live within two miles of Louisiana's refineries.

The Bucket Brigade has been campaigning
against what it contends are unnecessary releases of chemicals at
refineries in Louisiana
during accidents for several years.